Fred. Olsen Travel Continues Expansion With The Acquisition Of Ponders Travel In Cambridgeshire

Wednesday, Feb 11, 2026 0

Fred. Olsen Travel is continuing with its ambitious growth plans with the acquisition of Ponders Travel in Over, Cambridgeshire at the beginning of February 2026. Ponders Travel is the company’s 24^th retail shop and joins 10 other shops in East Anglia and a further 13 across the south coast.

Founded by Clare Dudley in 2010, Ponders Travel is a successful agency which has always been a licensee of Fred. Olsen Travel, operating independently but using the Fred. Olsen Travel financial protection and commercial agreements. Following the acquisition, the branch will continue to operate under the Ponders Travel brand but will now benefit from Fred. Olsen Travel’s marketing support which will enhance the business. All five team members have been transferred across to Fred. Olsen Travel under TUPE regulations, while Clare Dudley also joins Fred. Olsen Travel as business development manager to integrate and further grow the business.

Julie Berry, managing director of Fred. Olsen Travel, comments: “We are delighted that Clare Dudley and the team at Ponders Travel will be joining Fred. Olsen Travel. We have always enjoyed a strong partnership with Ponders Travel operating as one of our licensees over the years and now look forward to continuing this relationship. Their commitment to offering exceptional service and truly understanding the needs of the customers aligns very much with our own values at Fred. Olsen Travel, and we are grateful for Clare’s trust in us as we proudly take Ponders Travel onto its next chapter.”

Clare Dudley adds: “I’m delighted to share that Ponders Travel has been sold to Fred. Olsen Travel, a long‑standing partner we know and trust. This marks a hugely positive step for Ponders, placing the day‑to‑day operational responsibilities of the business in the hands of an organisation that puts its people — including my wonderful team — and its customers at the heart of everything it does. For me personally, this transition means I can step back from the operational side and focus on what I truly love: helping people plan incredible holidays and delivering the personal, thoughtful service that Ponders is known for. Ponders remains in a strong position; it’s very much here to stay, and I’m confident it will continue to grow from strength to strength. Our customers — who my team and I will continue to look after — will be in exceptionally safe hands.”